User Reviews

This was one of the most romantic, yet saddest movie I have watched during this event and month.

It starts out all childish and pure, and still yet pure as we move along their lives.
The first person narrative connects really well, and we can truly see Tono's pain throughout.

The stories were short, but they had such an impact. It felt like I was being hit by a baseball
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This was one of the most romantic, yet saddest movie I have watched during this event and month.

It starts out all childish and pure, and still yet pure as we move along their lives.
The first person narrative connects really well, and we can truly see Tono's pain throughout.

The stories were short, but they had such an impact. It felt like I was being hit by a baseball like force.

Short intervals in music made me much happier, since I loved the soft piano sounds, and it was also timed perfectly in my opinion.

The story itself was worth crying for.

Spoiler Alert! Click to show or hide

The main points that gripped me were:
- Sakura (the childhood memories)
- Sumida (her short story was the most connecting for me)
- Train (when Akari actually had waited, it was the cutest thing ever, and most heartwarming)
- Ring (the moment I saw the ring and heard: "wedding", I almost wanted to let my beast out and kill Akari, but... it was her choice.)
- Beer (the self wallowing was really heartbreaking. Sure enough, I wanted to kill something/someone at that moment)
- Flashbacks (the entire flashback thing was heartbreaking enough to make me break down and cry. S-So sad.)

Those the main things that caught me and my heart.

Sometimes, I wished there had been a happier ending for Tono.
Akari was happy with her husband though. People change.
Sumida seemed to be living quite well.
But, yet, who was that black haired twin braided woman? A colleague? That was the only confusing point.

I'm trying to make a habit of only reviewing anime that I can't forget. This is one of those anime. You mention the name and I immediately relive the emotions felt while watching it. This one hour tale is covered in three chapters. Takaki, a fragile young man lives his childhood years with his also fragile friend, Akari Shinohara. Because of their similar interests and weaknesses, they grow very
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I'm trying to make a habit of only reviewing anime that I can't forget. This is one of those anime. You mention the name and I immediately relive the emotions felt while watching it. This one hour tale is covered in three chapters. Takaki, a fragile young man lives his childhood years with his also fragile friend, Akari Shinohara. Because of their similar interests and weaknesses, they grow very close, until the day Takaki has to move. In this time, they occasionally communicate via letters, until they finally decide to meet up. After a grueling trip to see Shinohara, they finally are able to relive some of their childhood memories for only a few hours. But because of the cruelty of this life, after this encounter, they slowly grew apart. Or rather, Shinohara grew apart from Takaki. Takaki is unable to accept the inevitability of never seeing Shinohara again, and he suffers mentally and emotionally because of this. Likewise, the audience also suffers. You absorb his emotions watching this because the art and story coincide so well. You feel Takaki's pain. I wish there would be a different ending for Takaki's story. I wish there would be a different path for him. I wish and wish, but this is impossible. The story ends here. Takaki is unable to come to grips with his sad reality. And the audience is left saddened by a real depiction of life.

So finally got around to watching this because most people say its great, I honestly could not feel anything from the series other than annoyance at both of the main characters. Perhaps its a very Japanese thing, but based on the distance they lived it not anything to get broken out of shape over. They lived at most about 3 hours away from one another, and even less during the period they were
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So finally got around to watching this because most people say its great, I honestly could not feel anything from the series other than annoyance at both of the main characters. Perhaps its a very Japanese thing, but based on the distance they lived it not anything to get broken out of shape over. They lived at most about 3 hours away from one another, and even less during the period they were younger in the 1st arc.

The series tries to portray it as if they are a billion miles away from one another and she is in some other dimension or another. I could not wrap my head around the MC's logic and it annoyed the living heck out of me to no end. While I have never experience a long distance relationship myself, I honestly would not consider living 2 hours from each other long distance anyways thats like an afternoon drive. Perhaps when you are younger its a daunting task, but they wrote letters to one another and other things plenty of opportunity there not acted upon. Just felt like the MC was being more in his own little world pretending there was nothing he could do when there was and him just feeling sorry for himself for no reason

All in all I think this is something that will it could be considered kind of sad from a Japanese person's point of view, being American I can't relate at all and really don't want to because feeling that pathetic over being 2 hours away from your loved one is ridiculous.

(NOTE: I DO delve into the Storyline quite a bit, so if you don't want to spoil ANYTHING, please read up to my "Recommended for" listing. Otherwise, read at your own risk.)

I love anime. I watch it every moment that my life allows me. However, there are times in which I do worry about the state of the Industry…where it’s going and, if in about five or ten years, will it
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(NOTE: I DO delve into the Storyline quite a bit, so if you don't want to spoil ANYTHING, please read up to my "Recommended for" listing. Otherwise, read at your own risk.)

I love anime. I watch it every moment that my life allows me. However, there are times in which I do worry about the state of the Industry…where it’s going and, if in about five or ten years, will it evolve into something that is beautiful or something that is a grotesque shell it once was. No, I’m not talking about the politics and business of the Anime Industry, but rather the style and storytelling that it currently uses.

It seems that these days, anime series are utilizing more ecchi, fanservice, and even violence to draw the viewer into the series itself. Although this tactic does work, it could possibly mislead the viewer into focusing more on those three things rather than focusing on a rich storyline, or the deep relationship of the characters. What’s left sadly is the instant gratification of one part of our minds, but not the whole.

With that in mind, I hesitate at times when picking a series to watch. But every now and then, you get that feeling when browsing…a chance. This chance came to me in the form of a Crunchyroll Deal of the Day. It was a movie that I never even heard of, but the description I read drew me into buying the DVD with what little money I had left. After just watching it, the regret I once had into the purchase have long since dissipated.

5 Centimeters Per Second
Slice of Life Anime Film, (3 Episodes, 65 Min. Total), "Age 13+"
Price: $24.99 ($14.99 if Pre-Ordered)
Recommended for:Anybody who loves Anime without all the Drama, Ecchi, Violence and whatnot. Even then, just any Anime fan.

5 Centimeters Per Second tells the story of two childhood friends, Takaki Tōno & Akari Shinohara, who were separated due to Akari and her family moving away. Although they are separated, they still keep in touch with each other, ultimately leading Takaki to travel far than what he is used to, to meet Akari once again. However, the journey he takes isn't without hardships...one that foreshadows his own life ahead.

The story itself is broken down into 3 Episodes, each told from a different perspective. The first follows Takaki when he is just 13 years old, making the long trek to once again meet up with Akari. The journey itself can be seen symbolizing his life ahead; the amount of planning Takaki takes into drawing up a complicated train route he needs to take in order to see her, only to be ultimately be lost and confused. This manifests itself with the number of delays he experiences due to a Blizzard that appears on the same day of his journey, which only intensifies as time goes by. As each hour draws closer to their meeting, Takaki himself gets more anxious...worrying if Akari will wait for him if he arrives late. The number of emotions Takaki experiences in his journey ultimately leaves him in a state of emptiness; a seed that is planted, but grows as he himself does too.

The second episode then switches to the perspective of Kanae Sumida, a classmate of Takaki since Junior High. She has had a crush on him ever since he transferred to her school, but has had trouble confessing to him. Her feelings of Takaki can be seen manifesting with her hobby of Surfing in the beaches. Although Kanae always falls everytime she catches a wave, she manages to get back on the board to try again. This act symbolizes her repeated attempts to try to confess to Takaki. However, these failed acts begin to take a toll on her. From forgetting to fill out her Career form, to the numerous wipe-outs she experiences due to her lost in thought of Takaki, Kanae feels "lost"; mirroring Takaki himself. Ultimately though, she accepts her feelings that although she is in love with Takaki, he would never return those feelings; gazing far into the distance without noticing her.

The final episode takes on a dual perspective: one of Takaki, and the other of Akari. Now an adult, Takaki's emptiness has taken a drastic effect on his life. Living alone in an messy apartment, working lifelessly everyday, the pictures that are painted reflects that he has lost all sense of direction in his life. Close to a breakdown, he quits his job as an attempt to take back control. On the flip-side, Akari is seen happily boarding a train, planning to see someone. The final scene of Takaki and a young woman, who looks similar to Akari, walks by each other in a railroad. Both Takaki and the woman notices and looks back, unfortunately their view being blocked by the passing trains. Once again Takaki hesitates to see if she is still there, only to see that she is gone. A promise is then said...one that involves meeting with each other again...a journey that Takaki once took with a purpose...that since then he had lost.

After watching the film, it made me think about the current state of things...the Anime Industry was just the tip of the Iceberg. I feel that the emotion of love itself became lost and confused in today's world...just like Takaki. Just like how anime itself uses vice in order to draw attention to itself, it ironically is also reflected by the state of how people connect with each other in today's relationships: Looking more at appearances, certain characteristics from dating sites, as well as and how much income one makes rather than what matters deep down...trying to understand each other. Maybe that's what Makoto Shinkai is trying to say in his work, that the complications of life itself can ultimately destroy even the most simplest and purest of emotions.

With that being said, I do highly recommend this film. However, from what I've seen the DVD is usually sold in limited quantities from time to time. As of this writing, Rightstuf.com has the DVD in pre-order for $14.99 (Originally $24.99), and as of this writing, will be released April 24th, 2011. So if you do want to save some money, jump on this. Like me, you just have to take that chance, rather than hesitating...for you might regret it.

After watching this I was so amazed by many aspects this short movie presented such as the art, romantic emotion, relatable characters, soundtrack and realism.
First the Art. The art was very well drawn in my eyes as every background was like a fresh painting. The romantic emotion was also done beautifully as you can feel every amount of happiness and heartbreak the characters feel. The
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After watching this I was so amazed by many aspects this short movie presented such as the art, romantic emotion, relatable characters, soundtrack and realism.
First the Art. The art was very well drawn in my eyes as every background was like a fresh painting. The romantic emotion was also done beautifully as you can feel every amount of happiness and heartbreak the characters feel. The characters were my favorite part of this anime as they were so relatable and I can remember being in all of their shoes at one point in my life. Their inner monologues were also great to listen to and provided a great insight inside their emotions and character. Next is the story. The story is very realistic and heartbreaking. I thought it perfectly portrayed the stages of young love that every person faces in their youth. Lastly the music. I just have to say I downloaded the entire ost on my ipod and worked for months to learn them on my piano and guitar. That is how much I love the music here. Personally this is one of my favorite anime works of all time and am proud to say i've bought this on dvd and watched it over 100 times. LITERALLY. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND WATCHING THIS!

From the first taps of the piano keys, and the painstakingly lovely animation that it accompanies, this story unfolds in a beautiful way - almost like a cherry blossom fluttering from tree to ground. Watch it subbed or dubbed, it makes no real difference. It is an experience to treasure, just as richly as the moments are cherished by those for whom this story takes place.

the animation in this film is so amazing and the voice acting is to. i got sucked into it within the first 5 minutes of watching this. although some people may not like it because it is a bit slow for some people but if you love romances than this is a must. 5 centimeters per second is definitely one of my favorites.

I loved every second of this movie. i'd highly recommend this to anyone. heck, i'd watch it for the artwork alone. it's a true work of art and i'm definately going to be watching it again at some point. the sound effects are another thing that in my opinion was just amazing. everything fit the story aswell.

From ComixWave Films and master animator Makoto Shinkai comes one of the most touching animated films ever made. It isn't merely the breathtaking visuals and animation that make this film shine. 5 Centimeters Per Second is a story that many of us can relate to. We all have many regrets in our lives as well as the desire to go back and change our decisions. In particular, our love lives are what is
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From ComixWave Films and master animator Makoto Shinkai comes one of the most touching animated films ever made. It isn't merely the breathtaking visuals and animation that make this film shine. 5 Centimeters Per Second is a story that many of us can relate to. We all have many regrets in our lives as well as the desire to go back and change our decisions. In particular, our love lives are what is called into question. Many of us have had that certain someone that we were too afraid to confess our feelings to when we were still kids, and before we knew it, he/she was gone, never to be seen again. This isn't a story about trying to remain stuck in the past and changing what has already happened. It's about cherishing those memories forever, yet continuing to live in the present and finding new happiness. Truly an amazing film.

5 Centimeters Per Second was the kind of small drama I would watch everyday. The animation was very beautiful and flawless. It seemed so real. The music was wonderful and fit very well into the whole drama. I like the character in the second episode(I forgot her name) she was very innocent and i felt sorry for her.
I guess the only thing that i wasn't so fond of, was how the two of them
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5 Centimeters Per Second was the kind of small drama I would watch everyday. The animation was very beautiful and flawless. It seemed so real. The music was wonderful and fit very well into the whole drama. I like the character in the second episode(I forgot her name) she was very innocent and i felt sorry for her.
I guess the only thing that i wasn't so fond of, was how the two of them distanced themselves from each other. It was sad but i couldn't quite understand it.
Overall i thought it was excellent!!

About the Show

Beginning with the lyrical image of cherry blossoms falling at five centimeters a second, Makoto Shinkai paints a breathtaking vivid tableau
Beginning with the lyrical image of cherry blossoms falling at five centimeters a second, Makoto Shinkai paints a breathtaking vivid tableau of young love, desire, loss, and hope. Told in three heartbreaking chapters, we follow the young dreamer Takaki through his life as cruel winters, cold technology, silence, and, finally, adult obligations and responsibility converge to crush the delicate petals of true love.
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